Portable ironing device



Jan. 13, 1948. A, L, BRIGGS 2,434,483

PORTABLE IRONING DEVICE Filed Jun e 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 grave/WWJan. 13, 1948. B s 2,434,483

PORTABLE IRONING DEVICE Filed June 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ALL/m L.BRIGGS Jan.13,194s. A, L, BRiGG's 2,434,483 4 PORTABLE IRONING DEVICEFiled June 28, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 -1111! VIIIIII I I. IIIIIII l Ammi4 gwua/wtb ALLA/v Z. DEE/665 Patented Jan. 13, 1948 PORTABLE IRONINGDEVICE Allan L. Briggs, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Jamestown MetalEquipment Company, Inc., Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication June 28, 1944, Serial No. 542,542

11 Claims. (CI. 38-60) This invention relates to an improved laundrydevice and more particularly to an ironer of the type employing a rollerpad and adjustable heated shoe.

More specifically the invention is directed to, and has for one of itsobjects, the provision of an ironer of such proportions as to be readilyportable and usable When placed on any convenient bench, stand, ortable. Another object of the invention lies in the provision of anironer of the portable type in which certain of the operative parts,such as motor, drive mechanism, etc., are contained within the ironerbase. A further object of the invention lies in the provision of aportable ironer, in the base of which lubrication means is so located asto obviate any necessity of frequent oiling of the motor and the drivemechanism connected therewith. Another and important object of theinvention lies in the provision of an ironer base, the top of which isforwardly inclined, and by reason of which the ironer roll and shoe aredisposed in a convenient forward position. A still further object of theinvention lies in the provision of a structure by which to exertpressure of the shoe on the roll, together with a switch that isautomatically operable to stop rotation of the roll when the shoe is inan opened position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fullyunderstood and appreciated from a consideration of the followingspecification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; andin which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an ironer embodying oneform of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the ironer showing, in outline, the generalrelationship of base, shoe, and roll;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view, takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Fi 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing details of theover-running clutch of the drive mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a substantially horizontal sectional view of the motor drive,being taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectiona1 view takensubstantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. l, and shows the shoe in an openedor non-ironing position as distinguished from the position of the shoein Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a vertical view, partly in section and 2 partly broken away,being taken as suggested by the line 8-8 of Fig. '7, and shows the shoemounting, shoe operator, and switch control;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the drive,transmission, and roll structure, being taken substantially on the line99 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the rolltransmission with the parts in slow drive position;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the transmission in aneutral position;

Fig. 12 is a further view of the transmission showing the parts in rapiddrive position;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of the control for thetransmission;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary detail of the switch structure; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail of the clutch portion of thetransmission, substantially as indicated at |5-l5 of Fig. 12.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral I0 isemployed to generally designate an ironer embodying one form of thepresent invention. The ironer comprises a base ll, roll l2, and shoe I3.The base ll includes a rear wall 14, end walls l6, and a rounded frontwall I! that is of considerably less height than the rear wall l4 inorder that the top Wall l8 for the base will be at a considerablyforward incline. For convenience in manufacture, as well as for the sakeof appearance, the walls described as constituting the base ll may beintegral. Adjacent one end, the top I8 of the base I I is formed with araised portion 19 which serves as a seat and support for a casing 2|.Directly beneath the portion 19, and. fastened thereto in any suitablemanner, is a drive housing 22. This housingpas may be seen in Fig. 4,includes a centrally located, downwardly directed, tubular boss 23. Thisboss continues above the top wall of the casing and may be of somewhatheavier proportions, as indicated at 24. It will be noted that the topwall of the housing 22 is at substantially the same incline as theportion IQ of the top of the base H. A suitable bottom flange 26 of thehousing 22 seats a corresponding flange of a lubricant containing pan21, screws 28 serving to removably join these parts to provide acompletely enclosed housing. Attached to one side wall of the housing 22in any suitable manner, as by studs 29, is a motor 3|. This motor isdisposed sufficiently toward the rear of the base H to be entirelycontained therein, and a drive shaft 32 thereof projects through oneside of the wall of the housing 22 (see Fig. 6). A support 33 serves asa bearing for one end of a shaft 34, on which is formed or secured aworm 36. The other end of the snaft 34 is coupled, substantially asshown, to the shaft 32 of the motor 3|.

Press fitted into the boss 23 is a sleeve 31 which extends beneath thelower portion of the boss and well above the upper portion 24. The lowerportion of the sleeve 31 mounts a gear wheel 38 that meshes with theWorm 36. Any suitable means such, for example, as a washer and lock ring39, prevents displacement of the wheel 38 in one direction with the hub4| thereof' in proximity with the lower end of the boss 23. Within thesleeve 31 is a drive shaft 42, suitable bushings 43 being providedadjacent the sleeve ends to mount this shaft. Atits upper end, shaft 42is fitted with a pin 44 which is receivedv in the slotted end of the hub49 of a pinion gear 41. To prevent downward displacement, the shaft isprovided with a washer and lock ring 48, the washer deriving its supportfrom the upper end of the sleeve 31. That portion of the shaft 42extending beyond the lower end of the sleeve 31 is splined, as at 49, tomount a ratchet gear 58, the teeth of which engage corresponding teeth52 of 'the gear wheel 38. An expansion spring 53 encircles the hubportion of the gear 59, being held in a position to urge teeth 5I and 52into engagement by means of a washer and clamp ring structure 54. Thepurpose of effecting drive from the motor 3| to shaft 42 through aclutch of this nature is to permit rotating the shaft 42 When the motoris inoperative. With particular reference to Fig. 4, it will be notedthat the wheel 38 is so proportioned and located in the housing 22 thatit extends well down into the pan 21. Thus, if suitable lubricant isplaced in the pan, ratchet gear 59 will be substantially immersed in thelubricant and wheel 38 dip into such lubricant. Also lubricant iscarried to the worm 36 and all moving parts within the housmg.

The casing 2| may be contoured substantially as shown, and includes aninterior integral sleeve 56 which receives the upper end of the sleeve31. This sleevedepends from a web 51 and, as suggested in Fig, 9, theweb constitutes the base of a bell-like upper portion 58 in which ishoused the roll transmission. The pinion gear 41, described as beingfitted onto the upper end of shaft 42, is located in the portion 58, anannular shoulder of the web 51 serving as an end thrust bearingtherefor. One end of the portion 58 is open and terminates in an annularflange 59, to

which a tubular member 6| is secured along a corresponding end portion62, through screws 63. The roll I2 may be a conventional structure thatincludes a cylinder 64 with one or more interior reinforcing plates 66.A shaft 61 is attached to one or more of the plates 99 and-projectsthrough the tubular member into the portion 58. It will be evident froman examination of Fig. '9 of the drawing that the casing 2| and integralbelllike portion 59 serve, through the tubular member BI, shaft 61, andplates 66, to sustain the roll I2.

The end of the portion 58 remote from flange 59 is closed and formedwith a central recessed boss 68. The e'ndof the shaft 61 projecting intoportion 58 has a splined area, indicated at 69, and terminates in aportion 1| that is located in the boss 68. Bushings -12, suitablylocated in the tubular member 6 I, together with boss 68, provide theentire bearing support for shaft It will be noted that within theportion 58 a part of the shaft 61 is not splined, and a gear 13 ismounted for free rotation on this portion. This gear meshes at all timeswith the pinion gear 41. Suitable means is provided to prevent axialdisplacement of gear 13 and, due to its contour, it is possible tolocate a further gear 14 therewithin. Gear 14 includes a throw-out hub16 that is movable axially of the splined portion 69. The teeth of thisgear are adapted to mesh with the teeth of pinion 41. Two or more ribs11 are formed in the interior portion of gear 13 and, when gear 14 ismoved axially to a position to become disengaged from pinion 41, ribs 11interfit recesses formed in an end portion 18 of the gear 14.

From the foregoing it is apparent that gear 13 is a free running gear inmesh at all times with the pinion 41 and, being of greater diameter thangear 14, constitutes the slow speed drive connection to the shaft 61when the teeth of gear 14 are disengaged from the pinion 41, and thislast mentioned gear has been moved axially of the -splined portion 69into engagement with gear 13, Conversely, when gear 14 occupies theposition shown in Figs. 9 and 12 of the drawing, shaft 81 will be causedto rotate rapidly.

On the front of the casing 2| is located a lever 19 that serves tocontrol high and low speed rotation of shaft 61 and roll 12. As shown inFig. 4 of the drawing, the lever includes a circular body portion, onthe inner face of which are three indentations or depressed areas I8I,positioned ninety degrees apart. A reinforced portion I82 of the casingpositions a ball check structure I83, the ball being receivable in oneof the three recesses NH. The lever may be mounted on a squared endshaft I84 and held in place in any manner, as by a screw I 86. The innerend of the shaft I84 is provided with an offset pin I81 which projectsinto a recess 88 in the throw-out collar 18. When the lever 19 is in theposition shown in Fig. 13, gear 14 neither meshes with pinion 41 norengages gear 13. Thus the legend adjacent the lever 19 would indicateneutral or pressing position of the ironer, since the roll I2 would notrevolve but the ironer shoe could be brought into contact with the roll.Rotating the lever 19 to the position marked Lo causes gear 14 to engagegear 13 (see Fig. 10) whereas rotation of the lever 19 into the positionmarked Hi causes gear 14 to become engaged with the pinion 41 (see Fig.12).

Centrally of the length of the base II, and located toward the rearthereof, is a support 80. This support includes spaced, parallel walls8| that are joined along flanges 82 to the rear wall I4 of the top I8.Adjacent the top I8 the walls are provided with ears 83 which projectthrough suitable openings of the top I8, substantially as shown in Figs.7 and 8 of the drawing. A channel-like shoe carrier 84 has sides 88 andthe forward edges thereof arepivotally joined to the cars 83 by means ofa pin 81. Above the base wall 88 of the carrier 84 are cars 89.Projections 9i are provided on the rear of the shoe I3 and pivotallyjoined to the ears 89 by a pin 92. This pin provides for verticaltilting or rocking of the shoe into full contact with the roller I2 whenthe shoe carrier has been moved into one extreme position. Adjacentthelower edges of the sides 89 of the carrier, substantially midway betweenpinfila'nd wall 88, is located a shaft 93. The ends of this shaft extendbeyond the sides 86 and are fitted with the ends of rods 94of a Shoeoperator 96. A handle 91 is secured to the other ends "of the rods 94and completes this struture.

At asuitable point in the sides 86 of the'shoe carrier, a pin 98 islocated. This pin extends beyond the sides and is engageable by therods, 94 of the shoe operator 95 for the purpose of moving the carrierand shoe about th pivot pin 81 in a direction to engage roll I2.

Centrally, the shaft 98 is formed with a laterally extending yoke 99.Suitable openings IIII are provided in the arms of the yoke and mount apin I02. This pin, as shown, has a bullet-like end I03 and a transverseopening located between the arms of the yoke into which the threaded endof a screw I06 projects. A rod Ill'I is carried by the walls BI andprovided with an opening through which the screw I06 Projects. Betweenthe yoke 99 and rod IiiI, the screw I06 mounts a compression spring I08.One end of the spring abuts the rod I01 and the other end abutsa washerI89, held in desired adjustment by anut I II. The electrical circuit forthe motor 3| includes a switch H2 which is carried by one of the wallsBI of the support 80. An arm H3, under suitable spring urging, extendsinto the path of movement of the bullet end IE3 of pin I02.

The ironer above described is provided with a conventional cord which,when plugged into an outlet socket, brings the heating element up toironing or pressing temperature. When an article to be pressed isapplied to the roll, and the parts are in th position shown in Fig. '7,the operator grasps the handle 91, drawing it forwardly of the device.Such movement causes arms 94 to contact pin 98 and move shoe carrierforwardly to a position such that the shoe I3 contacts the roll I2, orthe article on the roll. As the shoe approaches a position of contactwith the roll, yoke es and screw I06 have been rotated to slightlybeyond a straight line position and, during such movement, spring I09has been placed under considerable compression. Thus, when yoke andscrew are past center, this spring urges movement in a new directionwhich is transmitted to the shoe to the extent of providing the desiredpressure upon an article on the roll, or the roll itself. This lastposition of the parts is clearly shown in Fig. 4. Additionally, as theyoke and screw swing into this new position, the bullet end I93 contactsand depresses arm II3 of the switch H2 and thus completes the circuit ofthe motor SI. Movement of the end IE3 into position to complete themotor circuit through switch H2, occurs just before the shoe I3 contactsroll I2. Thus, at no time is the roll I2 left inadvertently stationarywhen the heated shoe is brought into contact with it. Of course, shouldthe operator desire to press an article, it is possible to rotate thelever I9 to the position market Neutral, but under such circumstancesthe operator is obviously aware of the fact that the roll will notrotate. Following the pressing operation, the handle 91 is movedrearwardly, and when the yoke and screw I06 have passed center in theopposite direction, spring I99 will urge carrier 84 and shoe I3 into theposition shown in Fig. 7.

From the foregoing it is evident that the invention discloses an ironingdevice of such proportions as to be readily portable, and one thatincludes advantages such as an automatic switch, constant lubrication,high and low speed roll drive, and over-running clutch. It will beunderstood, however, that variations or modifications of this structuremay be made and are contemplated insofar as they are within thespiritand scope of the annexed claims.

7 Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ironer, a base having a top wall downwardly inclined in thedirection of an operator of the ironer, a drive casing extendingsubstantially perpendicular to and being located at one end of said topwall, a rotatable roll carriedby said casing, said casing serving toposition said roll over the forward edge of said base whereby tofacilitate its use.

2. In an ironer, a base having a top wall an further walls cooperatingto incline a said top wall downwardly toward the front of said ironer,said walls together forming an enclosure substantially wedge shaped incross section, a drive casing extending perpendicular to and locatedadjacent one end of said top wall, a rotatable roll carried by saidcasing extending parallel to and being located over the front edgeportion of said top wall, a motor and drive mechanism mounted in saidenclosure, and transmission means in said casing operatively associatingsaid mechanism with said roll.

3. A portable type ironer comprising a base, one of the walls of saidbase being inclined downwardly in the direction of the front of saidironer and cooperating with other walls thereof to form a shallowenclosure substantially wedge shaped in cross section, a drive casingextending substantially perpendicular to said inclined wall and locatedadjacent one end of said base, a rotatable roll mounted on said casingand extending parallel to and overlying the front portion of said base,an ironer sho movable into contact with said roll, means mounting saidshoe, and drive means for said roll contained in its entirety withinsaid base and said casing.

4. An ironer comprising a base having a top wall, further wallscooperating to incline said top wall downwardly toward the front of saidironer, said walls together forming a downwardly opening enclosuregenerally wedge shaped in cross section, a drive casing extendingperpendicular to and located adjacent one end of said top wall, arotatable roll carried by said casing extending parallel to'and locatedover the front of said top wall, transmission means in said casingoperatively associated with said roll, a motor in said enclosure, adrive mechanism operably connecting said motor with said transmission, ahousing in said enclosure, said mechanism being so disposed as to becontinued at least in part in said housing, and a shoe pivotally mountedon said base for movement into and out of contact with said roll.

5. In a portable type ironer, a base having walls cooperating to providea top inclined downwardly toward the front of said ironer, the walls ofsaid base forming a shallow enclosure substantially wedge shaped incross section, a drive casing extending perpendicular to said top andlocated adjacent one end of said base, a rotatable roll mounted on saidcasing and extending parallel to and overlying the front portion of saidbase, transmission means in said casing operatively associated with saidroll, a motor within said enclosure, driven mechanism in said enclosureextending into said casing and serving to operably connect saidtransmission with said motor, and a lubricant containing housing withinsaid enclosure receiving at least part of said mechanism.

6. In a portable type ironer, a bas having walls forming an enclosure,One of said walls being forwardly inclined, a drive casing extendingperpendicular to and being mounted on the inclined wall of said base, arotatable roll carried by said casing, drive mechanism in said casingprojecting into said base, and a motor contained within said base havingoperative association with said drive mechanism.

7. In an ironer, a base having a top wall inclined downwardly toward thefront of said ironer, a drive casing mounted on and extendingperpendicular to said top wall, a rotatable roll carried by said casing,a shoe movable into contact with said roll, means mounting said shoe,multiple speed transmission means for said roll located in said casing,a motor in said base, driven means operatively connecting said motor andsaid transmission, switch means in the electrical circuit of said motor,and means operable by movement of said shoe to actuate said switchmeans.

8. In an ironer having a base, a drive casing mounted at on end of thetop wall of said base, a rotatabl roll carried by said casing, a shoemovable into contact with said roll, a lubricant containing housing insaid base, a motor in said base adjacent to and having a driving shaftprojecting into said housing, transmission means in said casing, adriven shaft disposed perpendicular to the top wall of said base, oneend of said shaft having operative connection with said transmissionmeans, the other end of said shaft projecting into said housing, afreely rotatable worm wheel on said shaft in mesh with a worm on saidmotor shaft, an overrunning clutch operable to transmit rotation of saidwheel to said shaft, said wheel and clutch being so located as to beimmersed in lubricant contained in said housing.

9. In an ironer, a base having a top wall inclined downwardly toward thefront of said ironer, a, driv casing mounted on and extendingperpendicular to said top wall, a rotatable roll carried by said casing,a shoe movable into contact with said roll, means mounting said shoe,transmission means for said roll located in said casing, a motor in saidbase, driven means operatively connecting said motor and saidtransmission means, switch means in the electrical circuit of saidmotor, and means operable by movement of said shoe to actuate saidswitch means. 10. In an ironer, a base, the top wall of said base beinginclined downwardly toward the front of said ironer, 'said top wall andthe other walls of said base cooperating to form a shallow enclosuresubstantially wedg shaped in cross section, a drive casing extendingsubstantially perpendicular to and being located at one end of said topwall, a rotatable roll carried by said casing serving to position saidroll over the forward edge 'of said base.

11. In an ironer, a base having a top wall inclined downwardly towardthe front of the ironer, a drive casing mounted on and extendingsubstantially perpendicular to said top wall, a rotatable roll carriedby said casing, said casing serving to position said roll over theforward edge portion of said base, a lubricant containing housing in'said base, a motor in said base adjacent to and having a drive shaftprojecting into said housing, driven means connecting said roll withsaid driving shaft, said driven means being enclosed by said casing andsaid housing and being so organized as to be substantially parallel withthe walls of said casing and inclined with respect to the base of saidlubricant housing, that portion of the driven means within said housingbeing, at least in part, immersed in lubricant in a manner to facilitatetransmission of lubricant to other operative parts not so immersed.

ALLAN L. BRIGGS.

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